Thomas (Tom) D. Burkhart was born in Gladwin, Michigan, son of the late Gwen and Orval Burkhart. He attended Gladwin High School, Central Michigan University and University of Detroit Law School. He was admitted to the Michigan Bar as an attorney on July 10, 1979 and to the Court of Appeals Sixth Circuit on December 11, 1981. He was a law clerk in the Court of Appeals and practiced law with the firms of Burns & Burkhart; Burkhart, Tiderington & Loeffler; and Burkhart, Tiderington, McLeod & Picard. Tom found practicing law his true passion in life.
Tom had served as the associate editor of urban law, on many local family law committees and on the Board of Directors of the former Germania Club. He was a member of Maple Hill Golf Club and the State Bar of Michigan.
Tom was a “forever 60s” renaissance man. He enjoyed rock ‘n roll, jazz and the blues. Playing his “GOLD TOP” guitar most evenings put a smile on his face. He was known as a stoic golfer … a man who could recite all of the rules and made sure his “group” always played by them.
Qualifications for Law Scholarship
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- High school senior
- Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in law or paralegal at any Michigan college
- Resident of Saginaw County
- Full-time enrollment
Qualifications for Music Scholarship
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- High school senior
- Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in music, music therapy, music performance, or music education at any Michigan college
- Resident of Saginaw County
- Full-time enrollment
Evaluation Criteria
- Essay (50)
- Financial need (30)
- Academic performance (20)
Special Attachment Required
Please refer to the online scholarship application for more information.